Sock

ABSTRACT

A sock includes a tubular cushioned portion; a heel portion knitted of hydrophilic yarn; a toe portion knitted of hydrophilic yarn; and an instep portion interconnecting the heel portion and the toe portion. The instep portion includes a top of foot section knitted of hydrophobic yarn, and a sole section knitted of hydrophilic yarn. Moisture absorbed from a wearer&#39;s foot by the hydrophilic yarns in the toe portion, the instep portion, and the heel portion is transmitted into the hydrophobic yarn in the top of foot section to be evaporated therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to human footwear and more particularly to a sockhaving improved moisture absorption and evaporation capabilities.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional sock comprising an integrally knitted leg portion and afoot portion, the foot portion including a toe at one end, a heel at theother end connected to the leg portion, a sole portion adapted to engagethe lower half of the foot, and an instep portion adapted to engage theupper half of the foot, the sole and instep portions extending in alongitudinal direction between the heel and toe portions and havingopposite sides which are joined together. The sock aims at enhancing thefrictional engagement between the sole portion and the plantar surfaceof the foot.

While the sock enjoys its success in the market, continuing improvementsin the exploitation of sock of this type are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a sock comprisinga tubular cushioned portion; a heel portion knitted of hydrophilic yarn;a toe portion knitted of hydrophilic yarn; and an instep portioninterconnecting the heel portion and the toe portion; wherein the instepportion includes a top of foot section knitted of hydrophobic yarn, anda sole section knitted of hydrophilic yarn.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sock according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plantar surface of the foot;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the sock worn on the foot; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a sock 1 in accordance with the inventioncomprises a tubular cushioned portion 11, an identification portion 3 onthe tubular cushioned portion 11, a heel portion 12 knitted ofhydrophilic yarn, a toe portion 14 knitted of hydrophilic yarn, and aninstep portion 13 interconnecting the heel portion 12 and the toeportion 14.

The instep portion 13 includes a top of foot section 131 knitted ofhydrophobic yarn, and a sole section 132 knitted of hydrophilic yarn.

The toe portion 14 and the instep portion 13 are separated by a firstline 141 and the instep portion 13 and the heel portion 12 are separatedby a second line 121.

Further, the instep portion 13 can support of an arch of the footdefined by first, second and third lines 21, 22 and 23.

It is envisaged by the invention that moisture absorbed from a wearer'sfoot by the hydrophilic yarns in the toe portion 14, the instep portion13, and the heel portion 12 is transmitted by wicking action into thehydrophobic yarn in the top of foot section 131 to be evaporatedtherefrom.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sock comprising: a tubular cushioned portion; aheel portion knitted of hydrophilic yarn; a toe portion knitted ofhydrophilic yarn; and an instep portion interconnecting the heel portionand the toe portion; wherein the instep portion includes a top of footsection knitted of hydrophobic yarn, and a sole section knitted ofhydrophilic yarn.